Hello, I'm Joel, an abstract photographer passionate about transforming the world around me into art. Over the last 60 years, my camera has evolved from a tool to make representations to a medium for creating the raw material of my art. I draw inspiration from everything, from the splendour of nature to mundane everyday objects, using my camera as my paintbrush to play with the light, colours, shapes, and textures.
Technique and Style
My work often focuses more on evoking moods through abstraction rather than capturing fine details. I use techniques such as Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and Multiple Exposures (MEs). In addition to traditional photography, I also explore alternative methods like Scanography and Ink Wash. Combined with the Impressionism, Expressionism, and Abstractism art movements, these techniques have significantly shaped my work under the banner of JRS Abstract Perspectives.
The Role of Luck
I relish the element of luck in photography, where the quality of light, the combination of colours, and the particular camera settings at a precise moment converge to create a unique image that is impossible to recreate. This approach encapsulates the wealth of variety, the acceptance of inclusiveness, and the excitement of discovering fresh perspectives.
Digital Imaging and Personal Interpretation
I merge my love for photography with digital imaging mastery to construct a world that's familiar yet interpretative of our physical reality. My images represent both my dreams and reality. By design, they are sufficiently abstract for individual interpretation. Over the years, I've collected “stuff”—photographs of textures, bits of nature, man’s handiwork and scans of found objects—ready to contribute to a larger narrative of personal interpretation and emotional connection.
The Creative Process
The selection and assembly of these images is a challenging, thought-provoking process. Even when my final visuals seem tranquil, their production rarely is. My creative process requires focus, frequently to the point of total absorption, where the world outside my art ceases to exist for hours. In this limitless digital universe, an essential skill is understanding when the intended message has been effectively communicated and declaring the piece complete.
Scanography and Ink Wash: Focus on Time and Transience
This work centres on the elusive concept of time, encapsulating transient instances where ink and various transparent fluids interact on paper or lens surfaces. I digitise these artistic processes using a macro lens, producing images that challenge the essence of photography and are unrepeatable.
Conclusion
Through my work, I aim to engage, feel, and share, expressing my unique perspective. Thank you for joining me on this exploration.